The Wausau Word

Local, State & World News for Residents of North Central Wisconsin

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World and US News Links – August 26, 2006

Posted by Admin on August 31, 2006

globe.gifThe Wausau Word’s – World & US News Round-up
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August 26, 2006
[Dear Readers: I’m still trying to catch up and bring you the news on a more timely basis… I appreciate you all bearing with me. (o: I hope you are all having a great week! - Michelle K.]
WORLD NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM:

U.S. FOX NEWS REPORTER & NEW ZEALAND CAMERAMAN ABDUCTED IN GAZA:
[Please note: The Fox Journalists are no longer being held hostage. 8/30/06]

GERMAN TRAIN BOMBING PLOT:

HEATHROW “TRANS-ATLANTIC” AIRPLANE PLOT:

CANADIAN “HOME-GROWN” TERRORIST PLOT CASE:

RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH IN UKRAINE:

WAR AND TERRORISM AROUND THE WORLD:

AUSTRALIA:

AFGHANISTAN:

ARGENTINA:

BANGLADESH:

BELGIUM:

BRITAIN:

CHECHNYA:

DAGESTAN:

GAZA:

GERMANY:

  • “BOMB SCARE ON GERMAN TRAIN” – Associated Press (AP) – NDTV.com – New Delhi Television Limited – New Delhi, India – 26 August 2006

HEZBOLLAH / HIZBULLAH:

INDIA:

IRAN:

IRAQ:

ISRAEL:

KOSOVO:

LEBANON:

MOROCCO:

NIGERIA:

PAKISTAN:

PHILIPPINES:

RUSSIA:

SAUDI ARABIA:

SOMALIA:

SRI LANKA:

SUDAN:

SYRIA:

THAILAND:

TURKEY:

UNITED NATIONS:

VENEZUELA:

AROUND THE WORLD:

AFGHANISTAN:

AUSTRALIA:

AUSTRIA:

QUOTE:

“Austrian police were on Saturday hunting possible accomplices of a kidnapper who held a young girl in a basement “dungeon” and is believed to have sexually assaulted her over and eight-year period until her escape this week.”

“8-year Kidnap: Accomplices Hunted” – CNN News

  • “QUESTIONS MOUNT IN AUSTRIAN ABDUCTION” – by William J. Kole, Associated Press (AP) – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS) – Belo Corporation – New Orleans, Louisiana, US – 26 August 2006

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA:

BRAZIL:

BRITAIN:

CHINA:

IRAN:

  • “24 KILLED IN IRAN BUS MISHAP” – Associated Press (AP) – NDTV.com – New Delhi Television Limited – New Delhi, India – 26 August 2006

ITALY:

JAPAN:

RUSSIA:

TURKEY:

TURKMENISTAN:

  • “TURKMENISTAN: RFE/RL CORRESPONDENT, TWO OTHERS GIVEN HARSH SENTENCES” – by Jean-Christophe Peuch – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – RFE/RL Inc. – Prague, Czech Republic – 26 August 2006
    Summary:
    RFE/RL Turkmen correspondent Ogulsapar Muradova, 58 and two co-defendents — human rights activists Annakurban Amanklychev, 35 and Spardurdy Khajiev, 47 were sentenced today on charges of possessing ammunition. The 3 have been held incommunicado since being arrested in mid-June. Khajiev’s sister-in-law, Tajigul Begmedocva, who heads the exiled Turkmen Helsinki Foundation (THF) rights group, stated that the trial for the 3 was over in no time. Reporting what she had been told by their lawyers, Khajiev received a seven year sentence in a high security jail, Amanklychev received a sentence of seven years in a regular prison, and Muradova received six years in a regular prison. According to a televised address by the National Security Minister Geldymukhammed Ashirmukhammedov on June 19th in which one of the co-defendents, Ammanklychev was mentioned, it was claimed that authorities had foiled an alleged foreign-funded plot to destabilize the country although none of this was brought up at the trial. Both Muradova, and Khajiev had denied the charges against them which the judge used to justify a harsher sentence on them. According to Begmedova neither Muradova’s, nor Amanklychev’s lawyers were notified of the start of the trial, and neither were allowed to bring food and water to them during their pretrial detention. Lawyers were allowed to meet with their clients outside the courtroom for only a minute before being kicked out by armed soldiers who had cordoned off the building. The trial was reportedly held behind closed doors and no-one was allowed to observe. Begmedova stated that lawyers will appeal the verdicts.

UKRAINE:

VENEZUELA:

YEMEN:

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

SPORTS:

  • “[WEST INDIES CRICKET LEGEND] CLYDE WALCOTT DEAD” – Associated Press (AP) via The Statesman (India) – TMC.Net News – Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) – Norwalk, Connecticut, US – 26 August 2006
  • “FOR ANDRE AGASSI, THE END IS LOOMING” – by Michelle Kaufman, McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) – The San Jose Mercury News – Knight Ridder (The McClatchy Company) – San Jose, California, US – 26 August 2006
  • “AGASSI CLOSES OUT CAREER AT U.S. OPEN” – by Howard Fendrich, Sports Writer, Associated Press (AP) – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS) – Belo Corporation – New Orleans, Louisiana, US – 26 August 2006
  • “VENUS WILLIAMS PULLS OUT OF U.S. OPEN” – by Howard Fendrich, Sports Writer, Associated Press (AP) – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS) - Belo Corporation – New Orleans, Louisiana, US – 26 August 2006

UNITED STATES NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

SEARS TOWER PLOT:

QUOTE:

Undercover video acquired by CBS 2’s Miami sister station, WFOR-TV CBS 4, reveals an inside look at a suspected terror group leader accused in a plot to target U.S. landmarks, including the Sears Tower.

- “Video Discloses Alleged Plot to Target Sears Tower” – CBS 2 News

TRIAL OF JOSE PADILLA:

ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA:

DYNAMITE ON A PLANE (ALMOST):

MEN ARRESTED UNDER SUSPICION OF TERRORISM IN MICHIGAN:

CAMP PENDLETON MARINE TRIAL:

TEACHER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SUPPORT OF LASHKAR-e-TAIBA,
A PAKISTANI TERRORIST ORGANIZATION:

ON THE HOMEFRONT:

FOREIGN RELATIONS:

QUOTE:

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. government is spending millions of dollars in the name of democracy in Venezuela – bankrolling human rights seminars, training emerging leaders, advising political parties and giving to charities. But the money is raising deep suspicions among supporters of President Hugo Chavez, in part because the U.S. has refused to name many of the groups it’s supporting. [. . .]

- “AP: U.S. Aid Stirs Venezuela’s Suspicion” – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS)

QUOTE:

Venezuela charged on Friday that the U.S. Embassy had illegally transported goods, including military hardware, into the country in the latest dispute to roil relations between Washington and Caracas.

[ . . . ]

“They brought in food goods without any health controls, they brought in armaments without any legal control,” [Venezuelan Interior Minister Jesse] Chacon told reporters. “Everything that doesn’t pass through customs is contraband, we are talking about contraband here.

- “Venezuela Criticizes U.S. Over Diplomatic Bag Spat” – The Washington Post

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

EDUCATION:

NATIONAL POLITICS & ACTIVISM:

  • “CITIES, STATES TACKLE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON THEIR OWN: CONFLICTING LAWS AND A BITTER DIVIDE EMERGE” – Dallas Morning News – TMC.Net News - Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) – Norwalk, Connecticut, US – 26 August 2006
  • “ACTIVIST’S REMARK STARTS FBI PROBE” – by Jim Suhr, Associated Press (AP) – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS) - New Orleans, Louisiana, US – 26 August 2006
    Summary:
    A journalists’ article which apparently misrepresented the words of Jim Bensman at a meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers the previous night sparked worries within the local FBI office who called Bensman within hours to ask if he had terrorist intentions. The previous night a meeting had been held to discuss what should be done regarding fish movement and the Melvin Price Locks and Dam on the Mississippi River. Bensman, an environmental activist stated at the meeting that he would like to see the dam removed as he feels it is a waste of taxpayer money and that the barge companies making profits from the lock system is wrong. One of the scenarios offered by the Army Corps of Engineers during the meeting was the possiblity of blowing up the dam with dynamite. The reporter stated in the article that Bensen “said he would like to see the dam blown up and resents paying taxes to fix dam problems when it is barge companies that profit from the dam”, which according to Mr. Bensman is a mischaracterizatin of his real comments, which did not include a statement regarding blowing up the dam. Bensman is affiliated with the Sierra Club and Heartwood, a “forest-protection group”. When asked by Bensman why the FBI was investigating this incident when he has no terrorist intentions and there are bigger threats to worry about the FBI responded saying, “We have to investigate everything”.
  • “HARRIS CLARIFIES COMMENTS ON RELIGION” – Associated Press (AP) – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS) – New Orleans, Louisiana, US – 26 August 2006

QUOTE:

MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is “a lie” and God and the nation’s founding fathers did not intend the country to be “a nation of secular laws.” The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate also said that if Christians are not elected, politicians will “legislate sin,” including abortion and gay marriage. [. . .]

- “Harris Clarifies Comments on Religion” – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS)

LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIARY & CRIME:

MILITARY NEWS:

AROUND THE NATION:

CALIFORNIA:

CONNECTICUT:

  • patriot-icon-10.gif “MARINE FROM MILFORD KILLED IN IRAQ” – Associated Press (AP) – The Boston Herald – The New York Times Company – Boston, Massachusetts, US – 26 August 2006
    [LIBERTYROCKS' NOTES: Prayers for comfort, to family and friends are being offered for 21-year-old Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson of Mildord, CT who was killed in Iraq during combat in the Al Anbar province. Cpl. Pierson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. Many thanks are offered from my family for your service to our country, and the cause of Freedom Cpl. Pierson, may you rest in peace. Sincerely, Michelle K. & Family.]
  • “GROUP PLANS MAJOR PUSH FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE” – The Day (New London, CT) – TMC.Net News – Technology Marketing Corporation – Norwalk, Connecticut, US – 25 August 2006

DELAWARE:

  • “RESIDENTS ALLOWED HOME AFTER DEL. SPILL” – by Randall Chase, Associated Press (AP) – Ch. 4 WWL-TV (CBS) - Belo Corporation – New Orleans, Louisiana, US – 26 August 2006
    Summary:
    A railroad tanker car leaking styrene necessitated the evacuation of 44 homes and a request for those living within five miles of the Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex plant to stay indoors on Saturday morning, due to the release of hazardous gas. On Friday evening the plant where the tanker was parked had to be evacuated due to twenty-three people becoming ill with flu-like symptoms — the people being treated for symptoms did not work at the plant. The reason for the original release of hazardous gas from the tanker is as of yet unknown. On Saturday it was noted that the pressure inside the tanker car was increasing, along with an increase of temperature — apparently a pressure control valve was not working properly either. Several weeks ago the supplier of the styrene, Chevron Phillips, suggested adding an inhibitor to the tank. It is thought that polymerization is the cause of the increase in temperature. Officials would not speculate if the rise in temperature was due to the inhibitor failing. It is not mentioned in this article why an inhibitor was added, or why it was sitting outside the plant for what appears to be an extended period of time – at least several weeks. According to the writer of the article who states his source of information as the EPA website, Styrene is used by chemical companies to make plastics, synthetic rubber, resins, and insulators. Vapors from the chemical are hazardous to humans causing eye, nose, and throat irritation as well as adverse effects on the Central Nervous System. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes after it was determined the tanker was no longer leaking any toxic fumes, and according to Matt Higgins, an environmental scientist with the Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment, there was no forseeable threat to the community

GEORGIA:

  • “FBI LOOKING FOR ARMED ROBBER” – by Kevin Rowson – 11Alive.com Ch. 11 WXIA-TV (NBC) – Gannett Co. Inc. – Atlanta, Georgia, US – 26 August 2006

IDAHO:

ILLINOIS:

  • “CARSON’S ENDS A PIECE OF HISTORY OF LOOP SHOPPING” – by Don Babwin, Associated Press – The Courier News Online – The Sun-Times News Group – 26 August 2006 [LibertyRocks NOTES: This is truly sad news for those of us who have such fond memories of State Street at Christmastime... Carson Pirie Scott is closing their State Street store. Also mentioned is the name change of Marshall Field's, another State Street "legend", to Macy's. As someone remarked in the article it's as if someone has died. It's strange and shocking to me, but when I read the news that's how it felt to me too! It's not the shopping, but the memories of walking in the cold as the icy Lake Michigan winds whip through the Loop stinging your face, and all around you multi-colored Christmas lights twinkling. Then looking with wonderment at the incredible animated window displays at Marshall Field's and Carson's, each one more fascinating than the next as they sometimes told stories familiar to all. Stopping in at Marshall Field's to look at the gigantic Christmas Tree in the center of the store. And then as dusk was falling, taking the train back home, our legs feeling like they would fall off from walking all day long, and being almost lulled to sleep by the clickety-clack of the cars gliding over the rails. Times change, and we move on... still I will always remember with fondness the State Street of Old, and it will always hold a special place in my heart as it will forever remind me of the beauty of Christmastime in Chicago. As Bob Hope would say, "Thanks for the Memory".]

INDIANA:

IOWA:

KENTUCKY:

MARYLAND:

  • patriot-icon-10.gif “MARINE WAS A BOMB SPECIALIST – Soldier was Honored for ‘Courage in the Face of Death’” – by Michael Alison Chandler and Martin Weil, Staff Writers – The Washington Post – The Washington Post Company – Arlington, Virginia, US – 26 August 2006
    [NOTE: Prayers are offered for the family and friends of Marine Staff Seargent Dwayne E. Williams who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Staff Seargent Williams served with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and was based in Okinawa, Japan. My family offers thanks to you Staff Seargent Williams for your service to our country and the cause of Freedom, may you rest in peace. - Sincerely, Michelle K. & Family]

NEBRASKA:

QUOTE:

Omaha, Neb. (AP) — Robert Henderson was not fired as a state trooper because he belonged to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and another white supremacist group, authorities said. Instead, he was ousted because he could not uphold the public trust while participating in such groups, they said.

An arbitrator disagreed, ordering the State Patrol to reinstate Henderson within 60 days and pay him back wages. The state went to court on Friday to keep him off the force. [ . . . ]

- “NEB. Tries to Oust Trooper Linked to KKK” – WWL-TV

NEW JERSEY:

NEW YORK:

OHIO:

  • “STRICKLAND VAGUE ON SOME KEY ISSUES” – The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) – TMC.Net News - Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) – Norwalk, Connecticut, US – 26 August 2006

TEXAS:

UTAH:

VIRGINIA:

  • “TAX BILL MAY AFFECT LAND PROTECTION” – The Richmond Times-Dispatch – TMC.Net News - Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) – Norwalk, Virginia, US – 25 August 2006

EDITORIALS & COLUMNS:
(Disclaimer: All opinions presented in the following editorials are that of the specific author, and linking does not necessarily mean that the opinions are agreed with by “LibertyRocks”. Some editorials are linked to for the sole purpose of analyzing opposing viewpoints.)

QUOTE:

[. . .] If FOX is an essential part of the state propaganda-system which facilitates the war, thn how can we absolve their employees from accountability? Doesn’t that make them legitimate targets for resistance organizations? [ . . .]

“Are FOX News Employees Really “NonCombatants”?” – Peace, Earth & Justice News
[LibertyRocks Notes: Using Mr. Whitney's logic it would seem that a vast majority of American journalists working for many different agencies (most notably perhaps The New York Times) could all be brought up on charges of treason for aiding and abeting terrorists in Iraq and elsewhere due to their biased reporting. Of course, Mr. Whitney would no doubt disagree with me because anyone defending the terrorists, oh, sorry I mean "freedom fighters", is apparently above reproach in his world.]

OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS:

PRESS RELEASES, STATEMENTS,
RESEARCH REPORTS & TRANSCRIPTS:

NATIONAL BLOGS, NEWSLETTERS & MAGAZINE WATCH:

HOT TOPICS IN THE “BLOGOSPHERE”:

FAKING THE NEWS: EDITOR OF EDITOR & PUBLISHER,
GREG MITCHELL CAUGHT REWRITING HISTORY…

OTHER NEWS & VIEWS:

This entry was posted on August 31, 2006 at 6:00 am and is filed under US News, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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